AMGA Urges CMS to Streamline Regulations, Reduce Administrative Burden

Response to ‘Medicare Regulatory Relief’ RFI Emphasize Need to Modernize Medicare

Alexandria, VA – AMGA today emphasized the need for Medicare to reduce administrative burdens by ensuring regulations support rather than hinder the ability of multispecialty group practices and integrated systems of care to best meet the needs of their patients and community. In comments submitted to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in response to its “Medicare Regulatory Relief” request for information (RFI), AMGA recommended improving the documentation process, reducing the use of prior authorization, harmonizing quality measure reporting across CMS programs, and maintaining flexibilities for telehealth services. 

“Excessive documentation requirements, too many quality measures, and outdated rules around telehealth and who qualifies for skilled nursing coverage bogs down care delivery,” said AMGA President and CEO Jerry Penso, MD, MBA. “Medicare’s regulatory framework is due for an update, and AMGA is pleased CMS is looking to modernize the system.”

AMGA offered recommendations to streamline regulatory requirements, simplify documentation rules, and eliminate duplicative requirements. For example, to reduce the burden associated with quality measure reporting, AMGA recommended its Value Measure set, which reflects core measures that matter to patients and providers, emphasizes health outcomes over process, and reduces administrative complexity by limiting the number of required measures. Regarding excessive documentation, AMGA cited the mandatory face-to-face visit and documentation protocols for Durable Medical Equipment and argued they are overly prescriptive, duplicative of other existing clinical documentation, and divert critical clinical resources toward administrative compliance rather than patient care. 

The response to CMS’ RFI are available on the AMGA website. 

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About AMGA

AMGA is a trade association leading the transformation of healthcare in America. Representing multispecialty medical groups and integrated systems of care, we advocate, educate, innovate, and empower our members to deliver the next level of high performance health. AMGA is the national voice promoting awareness of our members’ recognized excellence in the delivery of coordinated, high-quality, high-value care. More than 175,000 physicians practice in our member organizations, delivering care to one in three Americans. 

AMGA represents medical groups and integrated systems of care. Its diverse membership includes multispecialty medical groups, integrated delivery systems, accountable care organizations, and other entities committed to improving healthcare outcomes. AMGA advocates for the formation of innovative, clinically integrated systems of care that advance population health, enhance patient experience, and reduce healthcare costs. For more information, please visit www.amga.org.